The Czech Republic will buy 14 Leopard 2A4 tanks from Germany. This was announced on November 20 by the Minister of Defense of the Republic, Yana Chernokhova.
“We continue to modernize not only our tank forces, but the entire army. This is the next step in getting rid of old Russian equipment and at the same time increasing our capabilities. We will completely re-equip the 73rd Tank Battalion. Instead of the Soviet T-72 vehicles, modern German tanks will be in service, which have also been tested in real battles on the Ukrainian battlefield,” he said.
Chernokhova noted that the Czech Republic will thus have a complete tank battalion according to NATO standard. However, she is aware of objections that the Leopard 2A4 vehicles are not completely new tanks, but, according to her, they are fully operational and the Czech army will also receive communications and information systems, initial reserves of ammunition and other related materials. .
“The fact that these tanks are superior to the T-72 in their combat capabilities is obvious. Both in terms of firepower and crew protection,” added the head of the Czech Defense Ministry.
Recall that after the creation of the Northern Military District in Ukraine, the Czech Republic announced the need to strengthen its military power. Prague plans to receive 42 Leopard 2A4 battle tanks from Germany in the future and is negotiating the purchase of new Leopard 2A8 tanks. The department wants to close the contract by the end of this year and the tanks should be delivered by the end of 2026. At the same time, Germany has transferred and plans to send to Ukraine only the old Leopard 1A5s, many of which are no longer suitable for use. in the Bundeswehr.
